Court Calls Vax Mandate ‘Fatally Flawed’; Medicare Premiums Spike; Moldy Dorms

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A federal appeals court called President Biden’s vaccine mandate “fatally flawed” in an opinion issued Friday evening, reaffirming the decision to pause implementation of the requirements. (CNBC)

“You will not leave your apartment anymore,” Austria’s Chancellor told unvaccinated residents before the start of a nationwide lockdown Sunday, though the new restrictions allow for certain exceptions. (Washington Examiner)

Europe’s fifth wave has triggered alarm bells for U.S. experts. (NBC News)

As of Monday at 8 a.m. ET, the unofficial U.S. COVID toll reached 47,074,699 cases and 763,092 deaths, increases of 586,282 cases and 8,661 deaths versus this time a week ago.

New Mexico joined California and Colorado in offering COVID-19 booster shots for all adults over 18. (KOB4)

Meanwhile, Britain is extending its own booster rollout to people over 40. (Reuters)

To encourage children ages 5 to 11 to get vaccinated, New York launched a lottery for college scholarships. (Times Union)

CMS announced a large spike in Medicare premiums on Friday, owing to the pandemic and uncertainty over aducanumab, (Aduhelm), the controversial high-priced new Alzheimer’s drug. (CNN)

Glen de Vries, co-founder of the clinical IT software company Medidata Solutions, and who recently shared a space flight with William Shatner, died in a plane crash. (Endpoints News)

Houston Methodist suspended Mary Bowden, MD, for sharing “dangerous misinformation not based in science” about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments on social media. (ABC13)

Newly revealed documents offer new details on how top officials in the Trump administration attempted to block CDC public health guidance. (The Hill)

Would the new COVID pills from Merck and Pfizer work better as a combination therapy? (STAT)

In Florida, lawmakers will hold a special session to discuss new legislation that aims to penalize businesses implementing vaccine mandates. (Reuters)

Scientists are beginning to uncover leads that could help unravel the causes of long COVID and help in treating patients. (NPR)

In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente dodged a massive strike by some healthcare worker union members after reaching an agreement with management on Saturday morning. (Healthcare Dive)

No surprise? Female physicians with children were at higher risk of depression and anxiety during the pandemic compared to male physician-parents. (JAMA Network Open)

A 9-year-old boy who was injured at the Astroworld music festival, and on life support for days, has died. (ABC13)

The FDA wants Philips to further study the foam material inside its recently recalled ventilators, CPAP, and BiPAP machines, but said for now people can continue to use repaired devices.

Howard University students are living in tents to avoid mold, roach, and mice infestations in their dorms that have triggered allergic reactions. (CNN)

While you were busy “Marie-Kondoing” your closet during pandemic downtime, retired physician Jeremy Lockwood uncovered a new species of dinosaur with a big schnoz. (The Guardian)